Chain



Patented Apr.Y 5, 1949 CHAIN Arthur E. Focke and Harry E. Morrow, Indianapolis, Ind., assignors to Diamond Chain Company, Inc., Indianapolis, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application September 7, 1944, Serial No. 552.980

- 14 Claims. l

Our invention relates to chain, and more particularLv to the form of chain, commonly used in power-transmission, which is made up of links embodying longitudinally extending, tensiontransmitting plates and interconnected by interiitting pins and bushings having a press-iit within holes in the plates. It has previously been dis.

covered (see U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,424,084, p

granted July 15, 1947, on the application of A. E. Focke and G. Gi Mize) that the fatigue properties of the plates in such a chain can be improved by increasing the tightness of the iit between the plates and the pins or bushings which they receive. To obtain optimum fatigue properties by this means, relatively large forces are required to force the pins and bushings into the plate-holes which receive them. -In the case of a connecting link, in which a plate must frequently be applied to or removed 'from associated pins in the eld with the chain in place over sprockets, it isA a practical impossibility to obtain between the pins and the removable plate the tightness of t necessary to produce improved fatigue properties.

Moreover, in the case of multiple-'strand chain, where relatively long pins must be forced through a multiplicity of plates, the diiliculties in effecting assembly frequently limit the tightness of t to a point well below that necessary for the best fatigue properties.

It is the object of our-invention to facilitate the assembly of chains or the removal and application of a plate in a connecting link while retaining in the chain the advantages in respect to improved fatigue resistance which follow the use of tight press-fits between the pins and pin plates.

In carrying out our invention, we provide the pin plates with pin-receiving holes materially larger than the pins they are to receive, and in those holes we place bushings. In such a construction, the fatigue properties of the pin plates are affected by the tightness of the 't between the bushings and the pin plates, while the ease with which pins can be inserted or put in place will depend upon the tightness ofthe t between the pins and bushings. Accordingly, the bushings may be made to t the holes of the plates with a t ltight enough to enhance measurably the lfatigue properties of the plates, while the pins may t the bushings with any degree' of looseness which considerations of assembly or disassembly dictate.

The accompanying drawing illustrates our invention: Figs. l and 2 are, respectively, a plan view and a side elevation of a single-strand chain containing a connecting link embodying our invention, portions of Fig. 1 being broken away and` shown in section; Fig. 3 is a view similar to F13. 1A illustrating a connecting link for multiplestrand chain; and Figs. 4 and 5 are views similar to Fig. 3 illustrating modiiled'constructions.

'Ihe chain shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is a roller chain made up of alternating pin-links and roller-links designated respectively by the reference letters A and B. The chain terminates in plates. Each roller-link B comprises a pair of spaced inner side plates I2 and a pair of spaced bushings I3 having a press-t in holes at the ends of those side plates. 'I'he pins Il of each pinlink extend through and are rotatable in the bushings I3 of adjacent roller-links. The t of the pins II in the side plates I0 and of the bushings I3 in the side plates I2 is desirably of the character set forth in the aforesaid co-pending application of A. E. Focke and G. G. Mize. Sprocket-engaging rollers I 4 are rotatably mounted on the bushings I3; but such rollers may be omitted if direct contact of the bushings with in the cover plates il, and the iit of correspond' ing bushings in other constructions described below, is tighter than the t ofthe pins I6 within the bushings, and desirably is of the tightness set forth for bushings in the aforesaid co-pending application-i. e., each bushing desirably its the hole in the cover plate with a tightness such that I the force in pounds required to expel it is at least 16,000 DT, where D and T are, respectively, the external diameter of the bushing and the thi ness of the cover plate in inches. r

'I'he t of each pin within its associated bushings I8 may be as tight'as desired; butordinarily no useful purpose would be served in-having such iit tighter than a light press-lit. For

example, each pin I6 may have a slip nt within v v 3 i its associated bushings `I8, in which event it will be necessary to provide some means for keeping the pin in place to prevent it from working out of the chain while the chain is in operation.` The means illustrated in Fig. 1 for accomplishing this purpose is one commonly used, especially in smaller sizes of chain, to retain a removable cover plate on a connecting link. It comprises a split loop of spring material I9 adapted to be received in annulargrooves 28 near the endsof the pins.

I8. If desired, other forms of means for retaining the cover plate in position may be used, or such means may be eliminated entirely and the pins given a press ilt within the bushings I8, such press llt being suillciently tight to prevent the pins from working out. of the cover plating during operation of the chain but not too tight to inter- 1ere with relatively easy removal of the cover plate to permit disconnection of the chain.

It is not essential in a connecting link that both cover plates be removable from their associated pins, as Athe pins may lit one of the cover plates with suillcient tightness to establish a permanent connection. Such a construction is illustrated in Fig. 3, where we have shown a connecting link for multiple-strand chain, specifically a two-strand chain. The connecting link of Fig. 3 comprises a pin plate 25, two center plates 28, a cover plate 21, and two pins 28. Thetwo center plates 28 are disposed between roller-links B at each end of the two-strand chain, while the pin plate 25 and cover plate 21 are located on opposite sides of the two-strand chain with the pins 28 extending the full widthof the chain and passing through the pin plate and cover plate. The pins 28 lit the pin plate 26 with a tight press-nt, de-

, sirably of the tightness set forthy for pins in the aforesaid co-pending application. The cover plate 21 and each center plate is provided with vbushings 29 which have a tight press-nt in the plates 26 and 21 and receive the pins with a t' not too tight to prevent removal of the cover plate from the pins when it is desired to disconnect the ends of the chain. In the particular link shown in Fig. 3, it is contemplated that the pins will have a slip llt within the bushings 28 and that the cover plate' will be held in place by some means such as the spring-clip I9.

The modified form of multiple-strand connecting link illustrated in Fig. 4 embodies the two center plates 26 and two removable cover plates 21 located on opposite sides of the chain, each of such cover plates being held in place on the pins 3| by means of spring-clips I9. Each of the cover plates 21 is provided at each end with a tightly t bushing 29, like that previously described. The center plates 26 are also provided with tightly t bushings;` but in this instance, instead of providing each' hole in each center plate with its individual bushing as was done in the case of the chain shown in Fig. 3, we employ on each pin 3l a single center bushing 32 long enough to extend through both center plates.

In the chain illustrated in Fig. the connecting link is not removable in its entirety from association with the remainder of the chain, but instead embodies a single removable pin by the insertion or removal of which the ends of the chain can be connected or disconnected. In this construction, the connecting link embodies a pair of center plates 36, a pair of outer plates 36, and a pair of pins 31 and 38. The pin 31 has a tight press llt within both plates 35 and both plates 36, and may be headed as indicated at 39 beyond the outer surfaces of the outer plates 36. The opposite ends i invention as embodied in connecting links, it will of the plates 38 and 88 are provided with tightly ilt bushings 28 which receive the pin 38 with a slip ilt or a relatively light press llt. Where the pin 38 has a slip nt within the bushings 28 it may be provided at one end with a head 88 and at the other end with a removable cotter-pin I8 removabiy holding it in` place in the chain.

It is not essential in the multiple-strand chains illustrated that' there be two center plates in each pin link. Further, multiple-strand chains embodying our invention may have more than two strands.Y

While we have illustrated and described our be 'obvious that it can be embodied in pin-links throughout the chain. Even if the pins were headed or ilt the bushings which receive them with a ilt too tight to permit the ready removal of side plates, such a chain would still possess the advantage of ready assembly. In other words, it might be desirable. especially in the case o! multiple-strand chain, to use the bushings I8 or 28 even in pin links which are not intended for disassembly; as the short bushings could readily be forced into the pin plates with a ilt sutliciently tight to eii'ect a material improvement in the fatigue properties of the pin plates, while the pins could t the bushings with a fit not too tight to prevent their ready insertion.

Obviously, since the bushings I8 or 28 require larger holes in the pin plates than would be Vrequired for the pins themselves hushed pin plates should be widened at the ends or made'of thicker stock in order to prevent reduction of their strength in tension. We prefer to make the bushings I8 or 28 ofthe same nominal diameter as the bushings I3 of the roller links and to make the bushed outer and center pin-link plates of substantially the same dimensions as the inner side-plates I2 of roller links. y

While we* have used the term "bushings" throughout the above specification to designate the pin-receiving,` stress-creating elements I8 and 28, we shall employ the term liners" for these elements in the claims, in order to avoid possible confusion between them and the ordinary roller-supporting or sprocket-engaging bushings commonly employed in chain.

We claim as our invention:

l. In a chain, a pin link comprising spaced plates extending longitudinally of the chain and two spaced transverse pins extending through said plates and pivotally associated with adjacent links of the chain, at least one of said pinlink plates being provided with liners which respectively receive said pins, each liner having a press fit within its associated pin-link plate and the t of each pin within its associated liner being looser than the lit of the liner within the plate, whereby the plus can be inserted into or removed from the liners by the application of a force less than that necessary to dislodge any liner from the plate in which it is disposed.

2. In a chain, a Ipin link comprising spaced plates extending longitudinally of the chain and two, spaced transverse pins extending through said plates and pivotally associated with adjacent links of the chain, said pin-link plates being provided with liners receiving at least one of said pins, each liner having a press iit within its associated pin-link plate `and the llt oi' the pin within its associated liner being looser than the ilt of the liner within the plate, whereby the Pin can be inserted into or removed from the liners by the application. oi' a force less than that necessary to dislodge any liner from the plate in which it il disposed.

3. In a chain, a link comprising spaced plates extending longitudinally oi the chain and a associated plate and the tit of the pin within the liner being looserthan the llt of the liner within the plate, whereby the pin can be inserted into or withdrawn from the liner by the application of a force less than that necessary to dislodge `the liner from the plate in which it is disposed.

4. The invention set forthy in claim 3 with the addition that the nt of the liner within the plate is such' that the force in pounds necessary to expel it from the plate is at least 16,000 DT,

' where D and T are, respectively, the outside diameter of the vliner and the thickness of the plate in inches, said pin having a slip fit within said liner and said link being provided with releasable means for holding the pin in place.

5. The invention set forth in claim 3 with the addition that the fit of the liner within the plate is such that the force in pounds necessary to expel wit from the plate'is at least 16,000 Dfl, where D and T are, respectively, the outside diameter of the liner and the thickness of the plate in inches.

6. The invention set forth in claim 3 with the addition that said pin has a slip fit within said liner, said link being provided with releasable means for holding the pin in place.

7. In a chain, a pin link comprising two plates disposed on opposite sides of the chain and extending longitudinally thereof and two spaced transverse pins extending 'through said pin-link plates and pivotally associated with adjacent vided with liners which respectively receive said pins, each liner having a press ilt within its associated pin-link plate and the :fit of each pin within its associated liner being looser than the fit oi the liner within the plate. whereby the pins v plates being provided with liners for the receplinks of the chain, said pins having a tight press j fit within one of said plates, the other of said pin-link plates being provided with liners which' respectively receive said pins, each liner having a press nt within its associated plate and the it oi' each pin within its associated liner being looser than the nt of the liner within the plate, whereby the pins can be inserted into or removed from the liners by the application of a force less than that necessary to dislodge any liner from the plate in which it is disposed.

8. In a multiple-.strand chain, a pin link comprislng a plurality of spaced plates extending longitudinally of the chain and two spaced transverse pins extending through said plates and pivotally associated with adjacent links of the chain, said pins having a tight press t within one of said pin-link plates, at least one other of said pin-link plates being provided with liners which respectively receive said pins, each liner having a press fit within its associated plate and the t of each pin within its associated liner being looser than the fit of the liner within the plate, whereby the pins can be inserted into or removed from the liners by the application of a force less than that necessary to dislodge` any tion of the other of said pins, each liner having a press t within its associated plate and the iit of the pin within its `associated liner being looser than the t of the liner within the plates, whereby the pin can be inserted into or removed from the liners by the application of a force less than that necessary to dislodge any liner from/the plate in which itis disposed.

ll. The invention set forth in'clai'm l0 with the addition 'that said chain is a multiple-strand chain, said pin link including at least one center plate having' a tight press ilt on one pin and being provided with a liner for the reception of the other pin.

12. A connecting link for chain, comprising a pair of plates spaced from each other to receive between -them the links at the ends of the chain, and two pins extending through said plates and adapted to be pivotally received in said chainlinks, said pins having a tight press t within one of said plates, the other of said plates being provided with liners which respectively receive the application of a force less vthan that necessary to dislodge any liner from theplate in which itis disposed.y

13. A connecting link for multiple-strand chain, comprising at least three parallel plates spaced to receive between them the links lat the ends of the chain, and two spaced transverse pins extending through said plates and adapted to be pivotally received` in said chain-links, said pins having a tight press fit within one of said plates, at least one other of said plates being provided with liners which respectively receive said pins, each liner having a press t within its associated -plate and the iit of each pin within its associated liner being looser than the t of the liner within the plate, whereby the pins can be inserted into or removed from the liners by the application of a force less th-an that necessary to dislodge any liner from the plate in which it is disposed. -l

14. A connecting link for chain, comprising a pair of plates spaced from each other to receive between Ithem the links at 'the ends of the chain, and two pins extending through said plates and adapted to be p'ivotally received in said end chain-links? both said connecting-link plates being provided lwith liners which respectively receive i said pins, each liner having a press lit within its associ-ated plate and the fit of each pin within its associated liner being looser than the iit of the liner within the plate, whereby the pins j` 2,408,639 7 i A can be inserted into or removed from the liners UNITED STATES PATENTS by the application of a torce less than that necle of this patent: 10

Nome Date Landau Dee. 11, 192s Bosnian Sept. 3, 1935 Mme Feb. 11, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great lBritain Apr. '1, 1900 

